Some of the creativity being nurtured within the Sunshine Coast fashion industry will be showcased in all its colourful splendour at a special upcoming event at Fairhill Native Botanic Gardens.
Gnarla Sinerjies – Fabulous First Nations and Organic Fashion Soiree will be held at a twilight event on Saturday, March 18.
The range of First Nations and slow-fashion garments and accessories on show is the result of Indigenous designer Julie Appo, Coast designer Louise Visser, of Sinerji organic clothing, and fashion guru Linda Jackson joining forces.
They’ve been brought together by Coast ‘wild/flower woman’ Sue Davis, who has connected with both designers through her wildflower walks, workshops and art exhibitions.
The creative collaboration between the designers will feature local models showcasing a mix of Appo’s hand-painted and plain garments, selected fashion from Sinerji’s range, and a new collection of collaborative pieces with Sinerji garments embellished with her hand-painted designs.
Appo is a Gooreng Gooreng elder who has multiple degrees in fashion and visual arts, and a passion for slow fashion over fast fashion.
She was one of the first recipients of the new Australia Council for the Arts Flourish fund for First Nations fashion and textile design.
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Her project is focused on establishing a new fashion line under the Gnarla Fashion label (Gnarla means ‘message bird’ in Gooreng Gooreng language) and Jackson has been a creative mentor.
Appo is excited to bring her work to the Coast.
“I’m interested in bringing people back to slow fashion and creating garments that draw from the Australian landscape, my First Nations heritage, and rich collaborations with other artists,” she said.
“In coming to the Sunshine Coast, I’ve been made to feel very welcome and there’s been a lot of interest in my work. So, this is a great opportunity to create an event to show how artists, designers and different regional communities can work together.”
Her meeting with Visser immediately sparked new ideas and synergies in concerns and approaches.
Visser is the owner and designer behind Sinerji: an eco-label designed on the Coast and made using organic natural fibres, non-toxic dyes and fair-trade partnerships.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be collaborating with Julie on such a fun and creative project,” Visser said.
“After 16 years of designing my own signature fabrics, it’s exciting to joining with women of such strength.
“Julie’s passion for sharing art and story through fabric is something that I share.
“I’m honoured to have the privilege of working alongside her as a proud First Nations designer and hearing her very important yarns.
“Fashion can be a catalyst for change through the stories the fabrics can tell. To have Linda, a pioneering change-maker, alongside us both just adds the cherry on the top. This is going to be one inspiring event.”
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Jackson has been a pioneering figure in fashion design since the early 1970s. Her successful label Bush Couture has seen her working closely with a range of Indigenous communities on textile designs, in particular Utopia Station in the Northern Territory and Daintree Rainforest in Queensland.
All the women involved have a long-standing love of nature, which is often reflected in their designs, and so it seemed the obvious choice to hold the event at Fairhill Native Botanic Gardens, Yandina – one of the Coast’s original native plant nurseries.
Fairhill has been experiencing a refresh and revival over the past year, and as well as the garden setting and plant range, is home to Catbird cafe. The soiree will include some of Catbird’s locally sourced, healthy Australian cuisine as well as a glass of bubbles on arrival.
Tickets for Gnarla Sinerjies are $45 or $35 concession (plus booking fee) and can be purchased on eventbrite.
The show will begin at 5.30pm.
